Voices on diversity: overcoming our own racial biases

As part of our commitment to amplifying the voices underrepresented scientists, we are publishing insights and experiences a panel scientists. Here they discuss ways that individuals in scientific community can begin recognize overcome their own racial biases. These personal opinions authors may not reflect views institutions. Everyone has biases, whether conscious or unconscious. Recognizing biases requires continuous introspection which honest with ourselves. To strengthen this process, benefit from writing most intimate thoughts, talking trusted others, reading books articles, listening documentaries podcasts about racism related topics. For white people, enhanced awareness privilege contribute uncomfortable emotions such as anger, defensiveness, guilt. While appropriate have these feelings, it is counterproductive harmful focus on during cross-cultural discussions, attention resources shifted away marginalized oppressed individuals. Instead, mostly listen provide opportunity for less advantaged express pain frustration. It be beneficial unpack your feelings close friends family, particularly other people. Furthermore, available topics fragility Acknowledging decrease occurrences discrimination microaggression. However, increasing self-awareness life-long does eradicate racism, pervasive system. Diligent effort must invested into dismantling oppressive system at departmental, institutional, organizational, societal level. The only way bias invest books, movies, courses, relationships, tools glimpses realities different Be careful consume material few similar sources generalize entire minority populations. I conversed many people Midwest who rarely interact minorities but will find uncommon support same Midwesterners often use those rare disprove what say my life communities. Telling someone false best approach toward maintaining healthy relationship them. If you yourself doing apologize move on. Many fervently wish exclusively nation’s past. But not. And like me still deal its impact daily. conversations approaching them objectively goal learning rather than being right best. Any all should explored home informal settings. That route understanding each improving communication sensitive We need culture openness honesty limited issues race. Other taboo disabilities, sex (as an act biological characteristic), gender, important aspects comfortable addressing any concerns subjects. Normalizing open how start defuse emotional baggage associated race, thereby providing foundation maturely workplace. think communities institutions ask themselves if diverse community. involve leadership members ability change policies, procedures, traditions limit diversity. When more contributing community, there address bias. science by ensuring diversity research labs continuing students even after leave labs. There needs recognition objective. everyone within live bubble. subject implicit rest therefore just likely Acceptance first step healing. Each individual educate role systemic society, previously mentioned idea mandated training would good process. strong presence leaders field supporting efforts. come top down. It’s enough faculty themselves. undergo major happen pushes it. I’m sure ever time where fail see skin color differences between us mankind. person, however, place no longer looked down upon, valued praised are. Communities proud Black sports classroom well. Whether context general, responsibility hold ourselves accountable bear witness playing lives, there, networks accountable. By so, chance already prevalent work together brighter bolder future. don’t know what’s effective overcoming bias, do studies get better resulting inequities. Researchers trained professionals studied methods eliminate brought table. Just because person particular race worked efforts long make qualified advise subject. informed solid research. Our Commitment Diversity et al.Molecular CellDecember 03, 2020In BriefAs year Molecular Cell, want thank you, molecular biology flexibility face global pandemic, outstanding journal, thoughtful comments reviewers advisors, sharing ideas (largely virtual format year). This also forced confront scientists face. In United States, killing George Floyd, addition killings Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, countless forefront. Full-Text PDF Open ArchiveVoices Diversity: Multiple Paths Becoming ScientistSilva-Fisher (https://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/fulltext/S1097-2765(20)30795-4), kick off series, introduce themselves, tell sparked interest science, describe journeys. Archive